Protests in Turkey escalate as Pikachu steals the spotlight
In Ankara, ongoing clashes continue between police and protesters opposing the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. The police have used pepper spray, water cannons, and rubber bullets. There are recordings of the protests available online. In one, there's a surprising image of someone fleeing from the authorities dressed as Pikachu.
Pikachu is one of the most iconic characters in the Pokémon series, which broke popularity records over two decades ago. The popularity of the cartoon has not waned, as illustrated by the daring individual who donned the costume of the yellow Pokémon during the protests in Turkey.
In one of the recordings, protesters can be seen running away from the advancing police. In the crowd, one figure stands out - it's the person dressed in a Pikachu costume.
Protests in Turkey: Authorities arrest Imamoglu
Let's recall that for a week, Turkey has been experiencing intense protests following the arrest of the opposition mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu. On Thursday morning, in the country's capital, Ankara, clashes occurred between protesters and security forces. The police used pepper spray, water cannons, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds.
At the gate of the Ankara Polytechnic, students gathered with the intention of reading their statement and starting a march through the city streets. However, their plans were disrupted by police intervention. The young people, trying to defend themselves, built a barricade from garbage containers.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Ali Yerlikaya, announced that over the past week, 1,418 people have been detained in connection with the protests. The demonstrations, mainly organized by the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), are occurring in Turkey's largest cities, with hundreds of thousands of people participating.
Controversies surrounding Imamoglu
Ekrem Imamoglu was detained on March 19 on charges of corruption and links to a terrorist organization. Despite this, in Sunday's primary elections, the CHP chose him as their candidate for the 2028 presidential elections. Imamoglu is considered the main rival to the current Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The authorities temporarily suspended Imamoglu from his role as mayor, sparking dissatisfaction among his supporters. Protests that began in Istanbul quickly spread to other cities, including Ankara. The situation in Turkey remains tense, and the protests continue. The authorities have yet to provide an exact number of people detained during the latest clashes in Ankara.
